Galway’s Land National Park in Nuwara Eliya

Galway’s Land National Park

Galway’s Land National Park is another newly established national park in Sri Lanka. It is situated near Nuwara Eliya City, 2 km away from the city centre. Therefore, this is a nice place to visit during your Nuwara Eliya tour. It is also a fabulous place for those who love wildlife and nature.

Galway’s Land National Park is a small sanctuary with an area of 27 ha. Consisting of montane dense forest, it was first declared as a wildlife sanctuary in 1938, then became a national park in 2006. Visitors can access this site from 6 a.m. until 5 p.m.

It is a place that you can’t explore with your vehicle and where you need to walk on your own two feet. There is a nice foot path that continues for almost 2km. Together with Victoria Park, the area is considered the perfect place for bird watching in Sri Lanka. It has found 10–30 endemic birds and many migratory birds here. The North East monsoon season is considered the best time to see migratory birds, which is the ideal time to visit Galway’s Land.

Apart from those birds, Galway’s Land National Park is home to other animals, including waterhogs, mouse deer, barking deer, and wild boar. You can also see many flowering plants, large trees, local plant species and a few foreign plant species. The cool and calmness are ideal for those who love to relax within an urban environment. So, we recommend not missing this place during your next Nuwara Eliya visit.

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(Cover Image Credit: Kompasuwa – කොම්පාසුව )

Goyambokka Beach in Tangalle

Goyambokka Beach

Goyambokka Beach is another beautiful shoreline in the Tangalla area of the Southern Province, Sri Lanka. It belongs to the Matara district and is situated 34 km away from Matara city. The distance from Colombo to the beach is 205km. Anyhow, it is 3 km away from Tangalle city.

Goyambokka Beach is not a popular beach among most Sri Lankans and foreign travelers, apart from the locals nearby. You can easily get here after a 5-minute tuk-tuk ride. The beach will surely attract you with its moderate waves and white sands. It is considered that Goyambokka beach is a superb spot for swimming and surfing. As well as that, you can do other water activities, including diving.

The beach and surrounding sea are rich in marine wildlife like other places in Sri Lanka. Therefore, visitors can dive deep to explore them. Sea turtles are common, as you can see here. Some tourists love to explore how turtles lay their eggs in the mid-night.

There are many restaurants and guest houses nearby. Therefore, you have enough facilities on or near the beach. It is a place with fewer crowds most of the time. The palm tree line has given a beautiful view of the beach further.

Goyambokka Beach is a fantastic spot if you are visiting Tangalle Beach or the surrounding areas. If you are a passionate traveler who is exploring hidden treasuries in Sri Lanka, then you should add this beautiful beach to your list.

Kaudulla National Park in Sri Lanka

Kaudulla National Park Sri Lanka

Kaudulla National Park is a newly established national park in Sri Lanka governed by the department of wildlife conservation. It is situated in the Polonnaruwa district, 197 km away from the capital, Colombo. Habarana is the closest town to the Kaudulla National Park with a distance of 22km. Furthermore, it is 39km away from Polonnaruwa city.

Kudulla National Park was designated as a national park in 2002. It was the 15th such national park in the country, covering an almost 6900 ha area. Hurulu Eco Lodge and Minneriya National Park are two neighbors to the Kaudulla National Park, where they are located very close.

Sri Lankan elephants are the major attraction of the Kaudulla National Park. From August to December, visitors can see large groups of elephants near the Kaudulla Tank. They migrate there to find water and food. For that season, the elephants also migrate to the Minneriya Nationa Park, where it is considered Asia’s largest elephant gathering place. Therefore, a lot of elephant lovers come to Kaudulla to see this beautiful incident of nature too.

In any case, visitors to the Kaudulla can see Sri Lankan Sambar deer, Sri Lankan Jungle Fowl, wild boar, sloth bear, and leopards.It is home to a large number of wild animals, including 24 mammal species, 160 bird species, 9 amphibian species, 25 reptile species, 26 fish species, and 75 butterfly species.

It receives almost 1500mm of average annual rainfall and its average temperature is nearly 26°C. The November to February period is considered the rainy season in the area. So, September is considered the best month to visit Kaudulla National Park.

Going on a safari tour to the Kaudulla is a nice experience to get if you love Sri Lankan elephants. There you can find safari tour providers around the Habarana. You need to pay an entrance fee to enter the National Park. The place is just close to the Sri Lankan Cultural Triangle, so you can go there during your Anuarapahura, Polonnaruwa, or Sigiriya visits.

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(Featured Image Credit: ©Dulani Dissanayake photography )

 

Dalawella Beach in the Southern Province is stunning.

Dalawella Beach

The Sri Lankan Southern Coast is a beach paradise where you can find so many beautiful beaches in the entire province. Here we are discussing another magnificent beach called Dalawella Beach.

Dalawella Beach is situated in the Unawatuna area of the Galle District. It is 8km away from Galle City and 150km away from the capital, Colombo. The place is a popular tourist attraction because of these two things. One is called “The Palm Tree Rope Swing” and the other one is called “Ship Rock”. It is not far from the famous Unawatuna beach, where you can reach it within 10 minutes by tuk tuk.

The palm tree rope swing is an activity where you can swing out over the sea water. It is a funny and nice experience to get in here. You should note that it is a payable activity to start. The Ship Rock, also known as Wijaya Rock by some, is close to the rope swing.There you can capture an amazing photoshoot. It is a large stone that you can climb to its top. The view is fantastic because it allows you to shoot some nice photos to post on Instagram.

Most of them think that ‘Wijaya Beach’ is another name for Dalawella Beach, and most of them think those beaches are two different ones. They are, however, the same.

Evening is the best time to visit Dalawella Beach, which generates colorful pictures for our eyes. Just like other beaches in Sri Lanka, Dalawella beach is a superb spot for swimming, snorkeling, and other water activities. For the daytime, you can rest out on the beach to enjoy the sun bath. There is a beautiful palm tree line throughout the entire beach. As well, a lagoon is situated nearby where you can also visit.

Dalawella beach is also popular for watching sea turtles. You can find every aged sea turtle here. If you are doing snorkeling here, then you can swim along with those sea turtles. Anyhow, it is important to note that you are not allowed to disturb them or catch them.

So, we recommend Wijaya Beach as the best place to visit in the southern province of Sri Lanka. Don’t forget to take a camera and enjoy your leisure in a fantastic manner.

 

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(Cover Image Source: Sri Lanka travels & trends )

Minneriya Safari Tour

Minneriya Safari Tour

A Day with Elephants, Safari Tour at Minneriya

Minneriya is one of the most admired national parks in Sri Lanka. Our Minneriya safari tour is a private tour that is uniquely designed to give you an astounding safari experience in Sri Lanka. You or/and your group will be accommodated comfortably in a vehicle according to the size of the group, and we will be providing a well-informed guide to take you through the safari. Language-specific guides can be arranged on request as we are well equipped with excellent tour guides. You will be given a brief overview of the country and the Minneriya safari tour.

About Minneriya National Park

Minneriya is ideal for all nature lovers to spend some quality time in the wilderness, witnessing the marvelous miracles of nature. It is a world-renowned wildlife spot where people from all over the globe come to see it. It is indeed an experience worth having! Between July and September, Minneriya holds one of the largest gatherings of elephants, numbering over 300 in number.

Minneriya National Park is situated in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka and is full of mighty elephants enjoying the tropical nature while breathing all the fresh air from the Minneriya Reservoir. The tour includes a safari ride across the park, with an extensive idea of the park and its elephants. Even though the elephants take most of the focus, Minneriya is home to numerous endemic animal species. The park has over 160 kinds of birds, endemic sloth bears, leopards, and many more! We make certain that you receive the best service possible by informing you about wildlife in Sri Lanka and how it is protected.

Sri Lanka is one of the most blessed islands in the whole world in terms of nature, animals, and weather. Nature has covered and protected Minneriya. Your queries regarding elephants and other animals that have occupied the park will be answered by our excellent tour guides. Minneriya is protected by the Wildlife Reserve because of its countless animals and trees. The park oversees the largest reservoir to be built by King Mahasena in the 3rd Century AD.

Watching these mighty, yet gentle elephants is a must-see as they interact with their own kind so beautifully and wander on the soil of Sri Lanka. You will see them spending time on the water, mothers washing their sons and enjoying their company. It is amazing to see what they do as animals in such harmony. Because of its forest-covered atmosphere, the cooling breeze goes back and forth throughout the day, and it makes the safari even more relaxing.

One of the best!

For those of you who need to experience the wildlife at its best, the Minneriya Safari Tour is the best of choices! Your safari will be a memory to cherish all your life. It is also very informative and interesting. Come and enjoy the bountiful Safari Tour at Minneriya with us, experiencing the largest gathering of elephants in the whole of Asia. You will be surprised! Make sure to take as many pictures as you can, so you can later see what a wonder it really is.

Minneriya Safari Tour with Mahaweli Tours & Holidays

Possible Starting / Pick-up Locations :
Colombo, Negombo, Sigiriya, Dambulla, Kandy, Polonaruwa, Anuradhapura, Trincomalee, Nilaveli, Pasikudah  (You can let us know your exact location for us to check and confirm the possibility)

Duration : Safari Tour will take around 3 ½ on average.

Tour Type : A private tour. Vehicle and the Guide / Chauffer guide are dedicated to you / your group. Minneriya safari tour will be done by an off road vehicle and traveling to the starting point and back will be done by Comfortable Car / Van / Mini coach.

(Featured Image Credit: Chathura Buddhika)

Kanneliya Forest in the Galle District

Kanneliya Forest

Kanneliya Forest Reserve is a nice place to visit in Galle District. It is a part of the Kanneliya-Dediyagala-Nakiyadeniya (KDN) Biosphere Reserve. This covers almost 5306 ha in the southern province. The Kanneliya forest reserve is also regarded as one of South Asia’s most valuable forest resources. KDN was designated as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 2004. It is also the last remaining rainforest area after the famous Sinharaja Forest. Kanneliya is a catchment area for both the Gin Ganga River and the Nilwala Ganga River. Those are two major rivers in southern Sri Lanka.

 

Location:

Galle City is situated 35km away from Kanneliya Forest. The distance from Colombo is 150km. If you are starting from Colombo, then you can choose the southern highway and should exit at Pinnaduwa. Then you need to follow the Udugama road to reach the place, and overall, it takes around 3 hours.

If you are starting from Galle, then you can travel along the Udugama road from there to reach Kanneliya. It is around 35km away and will take 1 hour to get there. To enter the forest, you need to buy a ticket. The ticket counter is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

 

Flora and Fauna

Kanneliya Forest is home to many flora and fauna. A large percent of them is endemic to Sri Lanka. 17% of lowland endemic floral species can be found here. There are over 220 known species of fauna. It includes 86 mammal species, 36 snake species, and 26 bird species. 20 bird species are endemic only to the Kanneliya. There are also 23 lizard species found here.

 

Attractions

There are many sightseeing places in Kanneliya Rain Forest. We need at least 2 days to explore all of those attractions. When you receive tickets at the entrance, the guide will help you explore those places. Here are some of the major attractions in Kanneliya:

  • Waterfall Anagimale Ella
  • Cave Trail
  • Elephant Creeper
  • A Giant Navel Tree
  • Malamura Waterfall
  • Kabbale Mount Trail.

 

Other facts about Kanneliya

  • There are over 10,000 people living in 78 villages around the KDN biosphere area.
  • Anagimale Waterfall is a fantastic looking waterfall to visit. It is very water heavy in the December–February season.
  • Narangas Ella is another tiny waterfall which is located inside the deep forest.
  • The March to September period is the ideal time for hikes in Kanneliya Forest.
  • This is a superb place to enjoy a day with your family. There is a nice spot to bathe near the entrance.

Sithulpawwa Raja Maha Viharaya

Sithulpawwa Raja Maha Viharaya

Sithulpawwa Raja Maha Viharaya is an ancient Buddhist monastery that is situated in the Kirinda area of southern Sri Lanka. It is a historically important place in Sri Lankan history. There are numerous ancient ruins and historical evidence that have helped to establish the surrounding areas of this monastery. Sithulpawwa is a place that belongs to Block 1 of the Yala National Park. Therefore, anybody can visit this place during their tour to the Yala Nationa Park.

 

Location

Sithulpawwa Raja Maha Viharaya is located 294km away from the capital, Colombo. The distance from Galle city is 165km and from Ella tourist city is 103km. You can reach this place by travelling 18km along the Yodakandiya-Tissmaharama route from the Kataragama Pilgrimage City. The notice boards will easily direct you to the place. You will also see many wild animals along the route because it belongs to the Yala National Park. There is a nice park available to stop your vehicle.

 

History of the Sithulpawwa Temple

It is believed this monastery was built in the 2nd century BC by King Kavanthissa. At that time, this was named “Chiththala Pabbatha”, which means “The Hill of the Quiet Mind.” This history says that this was a place for Buddhist education for the Buddhist monks. It was also available for worship by the devotees. Today, many ancient cave temples, paintings, inscriptions, Buddha Stratues, and other Stratues can be found in the surrounding area.Most of the paintings have been destroyed, and those historians believe that those paintings belong to the Anuradhapura Kingdom era.

 

Other facts about Sithulpawwa

On the public holidays, Sithulpawwa Raja Maha Viharaya is a busy place. Therefore, it’s better if you can go there on a weekday. The large stupa on the large rock can be found from a long distance. The view from that rock is absolutely beautiful, and it is fantastic to take some beautiful photos. This is a nice place to visit if you are a person who loves to explore Sri Lankan culture and history.

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(Sithulpawwa Temple Background Image source: VISIT 2 SRI LANKA from Twitter) 

 

Lipton’s Seat in Haputale

Lipton's Seat

Lipton’s Seat is a popular high observation point in Sri Lanka among local and foreign travelers. It is situated at the top of the Poonagala Hills at an elevation of 1970m. This is also a viewpoint from which you can observe five major provinces in Sri Lanka. The route to Lipton’s seat is absolutely beautiful with greenish tea estates. We can suggest that it is another must-visit place near the Ella tourism city.

 

Location

Lipton’s seat is situated in the Badulla district of Uva Province. Haputale and Poonagala are the closest town to the area. Distance to here from Haputale is 16km and from Ella is 27km. There are two major routes to reach the place.

  • Bandarawela, Poonagala and through Nayabedda Estate
  • Hapuatale and through dambethenna tea estate

 

Those two routes are very scenic with lush and greenish tea plantations. It’s no matter whether you select one from them,

If you are starting from Ella, then the Poonagala – Nayabedda route is ideal for you. The surround is amazing to watch. Tuk Tuk is the most suitable vehicle for this route and it takes around 1 ½ hours to reach there. If you come from Colombo or from the Upcountry railway, then the Haputale-Dambethenna route should be your selection. The public transport busses are available on that route. But Tuk Tuk or a scooter are the most ideal vehicle for too this route. It also takes one hour to reach the destination.

However, you should buy a ticket to enter the Lipton’s seat. After the entrance, you have to walk around 1.5km to reach the actual viewpoint.

 

Amazing View

As we mentioned earlier, you can observe five major provinces in Sri Lanka from here. Those five provinces are; Uva, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern, Southern and Central. As well as you can clearly identify some of the key places. In a clear day you can identify Chandrika Lake, Udawlawa Lake, Handapanagala Lake, Hambanthota Harbour, Wedasitikanda Mountain, Devinuwara Lighthouse, South Coast and Tricomalee Lighthouse.

Early morning is the best time to visit Lipton’s Seat. On that time you can observe the beauty of the sunrise from the distance. It is actually a fantastic picture and you don’t forget to capture it with your camera. Sometimes, the mist will cover the place and it will destroy your stunning view. In such a time, you can see the clouds under you. If you are lucky person then you will see clear picture of the surrounding. If not you will be unhappy with the mist.

 

History

Lipton’s Seat and the surrounded Dambethenna tea estate was established by the Scottish tea planter Sir Thomas Lipton around 1890s. He was also contributed in development of the tea industry in Sri Lanka. He managed all the surrounded tea estates and lived on there. After his duties, he came to this view point and sited on their leisurely by observing the scenic view. Sir Thomas Lipton also started the Dambethenna Tea Factory for the manufacturing of tea. On those time this was the estate produced the best Black Tea in the country.

 

Other Facts about Lipton’s Seat

  • Catherine Seat is another nice view point near the Lipton’s seat. It is few kilometers away and which is situated in the Nayabedda estate. This view point also generate a scenic picture and you can clearly identify the places like Bandarawela, Diyathalawa, Uva Valley and Namunukula Range.
  • Lemathota Waterfall is a nice waterfall that you will meet it in the Dambethenna estate. But it is not popular among most of the travelers. However, it is another nice place to wait for few minutes.
  • Lipton’s seat is a place with cool climate. You should be ready for that before go there. As well as you can expect sudden changing weather.
  • There is a nice statue of the Sir Thomas Lipton near the viewpoint. You can sit neat it and enjoy the beauty of the atmosphere.
  • The place is open from 6am to 5pm. Anyhow, Morning is the ideal time to go there.
  • You can visit Dambethenna Tea Factory and further can analyze the tea manufacturing procedure.

 

(Cover Image Source & Credit: Lanka Classy Tours Twitter) 

Diyaluma Falls Waterfall in Koslanda

Diyaluma Falls Waterfall

Diyaluma Ella – Second Highest Waterfall in the Country

Diyaluma Falls is the second highest waterfall in Sri Lanka with a height of 220m (720ft). It is considered the 361st highest waterfall on the globe. This is such a beautiful looking waterfall, and it is a must-visit place for any traveler.

Location

There are two major ways to reach Diyaluma Falls. The first and major route through Beragala You can reach Beragala town via the Kandy to Colombo main road. From there, you can reach the destination by driving 24km. It is 6km away from Koslanda. The other route is via Bandarawela and Poonagala. You can use this route if you are starting your journey from Ella. The place is 35km away from Ella, a major tourist city. Normally, the tuk tuks take around 2 hours for the journey. However, you can see a scenic view of the surroundings on the Poonagala Route.

The view of the Diyaluma Falls is very nice when you observe it from the bottom. But the most famous place is its upper part.

Upper Diyaluma Waterfall

Upper Diyaluma

There is another small waterfall on the upper side, which is called “Upper Diyaluma’. Most travelers come to the Upper Diyaluma to observe an amazing view of the surroundings. There are a few small pools available for bathing on the upper side of the Diyaluma Falls. If you can run a drone from the Upper Diyaluma, that will generate a heaven-looking picture for sure. Anyhow, you should be careful when bathing on the upper diyaluma.

From the Poonagala route, you can easily reach the upper Diyaluma, but if you are coming from the bottom side of the waterfall, then you have to go on a difficult route to reach the upper area. However, there are a few nice pools available at the bottom to bathe safely. There is a nice viewpoint to observe the beauty of the Diyaluma Falls.

Diyaluma Falls is formed by Poonagala Oya, which is a branch of Kirindi Oya. There are some myths and folklore about this waterfall too. Sometimes your guide will tell you about those stories.

Conclusion

As Mahaweli Tours & Holidays, we suggest that you definitely visit this place if you are exploring places around the Ella area. It is a fantastic place to get relaxed and to wonder about Sri Lanka.

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(Featured Image Source: Travelgram from Facebook) 

Bahirawakanda Temple in Kandy

Bahirawakanda Temple in Kandy

Bahirawakanda Temple, or “Sri Maha Bodhi Viharaya”, is a Theravada Buddhist temple in the Kandy city of Sri Lanka. It is a famous tourist attraction in the city. Most tour operators include this location in their Kandy city tour.The giant Buddha statue is the specialty of this temple. You can observe it from anywhere in the city.

The height of the Buddhist statue is around 25m, which is considered as one of the tallest statues in Sri Lanka. It represents the nirvana pose of the Lord Buddha. as well as the position associated with his first enlightenment. Somebody called that position “Dyana Mudra’ or “Nirvana Pose” as well.

Bahirawakanda Mountain and its surroundings have some popular folklore and beliefs. The ‘Bahirawakanda Mountain’ means’ Gnome Mountain’. Those locals believe it has derived its name from those hills. This is not an ancient Buddhist temple with a long history. The initial development of the temple began in 1972 and was contributed by Ven. Ampitiya Dharmarama Thero. Laterally, the temple was opened for worship in January 1993.

Guests are allowed to worship at the Bahirawakanda temple. You can light the oil lamps with offerings of flowers. But you need to remove hats and shoes when entering the temple. After the worship, you find the stairs behind the white statue to climb higher. This will allow you to get a marvelous picture of the surroundings.

Most of them believe the view of the Bahirawakanda Temple is more fantastic in the evening or night. Anyhow, you can clearly observe the Temple of the Tooth Relic, Kandy Lake, Udawattakale Sanctuary, Playgrounds and some streets of the city. If you can bring a camera, that will give you some memorable photographs in this location.

It is not difficult to reach to the Bahirawakanda Temple and its largest statue. Distance from the Temple of the Tooth Relic is around 2km. You can easily find the location by browsing the google maps. Finally, we have to say that is, you should definitely add this place to your list of best places to visit in Kandy.     

 

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(Featured Image Credit: Fineway from Pinterest)          

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